A nascent alliance to capture the Nairobi governorship in 2027 has dramatically collapsed less than 24 hours after it was announced, sparking accusations of high-level intimidation.

The political firestorm ignited after former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria alleged that Makadara MP George Aladwa was forced to abandon their joint ticket by “holders of extremely powerful offices.” This swift reversal exposes the intense, behind-the-scenes maneuvering shaping the race for Kenya’s capital, signaling a turbulent political season ahead.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kuria claimed Aladwa was summoned on Tuesday evening and ordered to publicly denounce the partnership. “George Aladwa was summoned last evening by holders of extremely powerful offices and ordered to denounce our agreement on the Nairobi Governor ticket. I respect his decision,” Kuria noted.

However, Aladwa, who also serves as the ODM party's Nairobi Branch Chairman, offered a starkly different account. Speaking to his supporters, he flatly rejected the idea that he was ever a running mate, declaring his own ambitions for the city's top job. “I have said I will not be Moses Kuria’s deputy,” Aladwa stated firmly. “I will be vying for the position of Governor of Nairobi on the ODM party ticket in 2027.”

An Alliance Unraveled

The controversy began on Monday when Kuria unveiled a campaign poster featuring both politicians, billing them as the “Nairobi Dream Team” poised to “Make Nairobi Work Again.” Kuria argued the cross-party ticket was about competence, not tribal or party loyalties.

Aladwa’s swift and public disavowal just a day later turned the surprise announcement into a political spectacle. He emphasized his long service to the city, including his tenure as the last Mayor of Nairobi, as qualifications for his gubernatorial bid.

The episode has prematurely revealed tensions within the country's major political formations. Kuria ended his statement with a pointed warning to the unnamed figures he blames for the deal's collapse: “You have let the cat out of the bag too early. Now we know your 2027 game plan.”